[Python-Dev] Future of 2.x. (original) (raw)

Barry Warsaw barry at python.org
Wed Jun 9 18:32:23 CEST 2010

On Jun 09, 2010, at 09:13 AM, Bill Janssen wrote:

Barry Warsaw <barry at python.org> wrote:

Note that Python 2.7 will be maintained for a very long time, which should satisfy those folks who still require Python 2. Anybody on older (and currently unmaintained) versions of Python 2 will not care about new features so a Python 2.8 wouldn't help them anyway. There are two kinds of new features, though. Those added to improve (or at any rate modify :-) the product, and those added to keep the product relevant to a changing external world (new operating systems, new communication protocols, etc.) I think it would take a pretty strong crystal ball to be able to rule out the latter kind of feature add from the 2.x line.

The latter should mostly be supported by third party packages available in the Cheeseshop. To the extent that such support can't be effected by add-ons (e.g. new OS support), I think a better approach would be to encourage and allow unofficial ports by utilizing dvcs branches (we are moving to Mercurial after Python 2.7 final is released, right?).

I think we should plan on 2.7 being the last Python 2, and spend lots of effort to get people onto Python 3, partially by offering big carrots like Unladen Swallow, a better/no GIL, etc. I think it should be part of the PSF's mission to help that happen through directed sponsorship, sprints, and other tools.

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